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  • Phoenix Warrior prepares security forces

    More than 100 security forces Airmen participated in Phoenix Warrior 06-1, a program run by the Air Mobility Warfare Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron, Aug. 5 to 17. The 13-day predeployment course prepares security forces in areas such as weapons and live fire training, convoy operations,

  • Academy engineering among nation's top programs

    Several U.S. Air Force Academy undergraduate engineering programs rank among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report's America's best colleges 2007 rankings. The U.S. News & World Report rankings were released Aug. 18. The rankings are separated by which universities offer

  • AEF Center reassigned to Air Force Personnel Center

    The Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center will be assigned under the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced today. The reassignment, which becomes effective Aug. 29, will synergize operations between the two centers

  • Unit fires first live air-to-air missiles in South Korea

    With the call "Fox 2," pilots here employed AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on Aug. 16 for the first time in the history of 7th Air Force in Korea, serving as the driving force behind implementing a weapon system evaluation program here.The initiative by the 80th Fighter Squadron here to shoot live,

  • COMUSAFE concludes Russian visit

    Improved relations and future operational cooperation between U.S. and Russian air forces was the goal of a four-day visit to Russia by the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.Gen. Tom Hobbins, who visited Moscow and Lipetsk Air Base Aug. 14 to 17, said the military-to-military relationship

  • Falcons eye 'Return to Dominance'

    The Air Force football team broke out new uniforms for its annual media day following their first fall practice last week. The players told reporters the 2006 season will be the Falcons' "Return to Dominance." "Their motto sends a great message to me," Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry said.

  • Viper Lance pilots trade rides

    Among the sounds of jets starting their engines and Romanian air force maintainers prepping their aircraft for departure, an American fighter pilot climbing into the back seat of a MiG-21 Lancer was a rare sight on the flightline here Aug. 11. Pilots from the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here

  • Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad

    Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.In keeping with the theme, "Global missions... meeting the challenge," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton spoke on the future of Air Force space missions at the

  • AETC preparing for reduced civilian authorizations

    Air Education and Training Command officials are looking at ways to streamline organizations to smaller, more agile forces and organizational structures to reduce the effect of reductions in the civilian workforce next spring.The Air Force plans to reduce its civilian workforce strength by 2,000

  • Deployed Airmen register for marrow program

    The faces on posters that call attention to a number of worthwhile volunteer causes are often lost in the hustle of accomplishing the daily mission. However, the association of one poster to a deployed Airman at a recent drive in Southwest Asia put a face on the critical need for all to register as

  • B-2 Spirit exceeds mission standard

    The B-2 Spirit exceeded Air Combat Command's fully mission capable rate standard of 51 percent in June, a feat not achieved since September 2004. Keeping the B-2 ready for war is an effort that requires the hard work and support of everyone who works on base, said Col. Bob Dulong, 509th Maintenance

  • AFSO21 Leans out uniform development

    In January, a limited number of the new Air Force utility uniforms will roll off production lines. Their arrival will mark the end of a nearly five-year development cycle. Lessons learned from development of the Airman Battle Uniform will be applied to the Air Force's next uniform project, the

  • C-5 Galaxy undergoes dynamic runway testing

    As part of the C-5 Galaxy's Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, the aircraft is undergoing dynamic taxi testing to check the structural strength and flexibility of the four-engine modification. The main focus of the RERP testing was the C-5 structure's movement when traveling over

  • Modifications to extend service life of A-10s

    At first glance the A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit looks like a Category 5 tornado just touched down in the middle of it. The chaotic scene, with hundreds of loose wires and instrumentation ripped from consoles, is really the beginning of modifications that will extend the service life of A-10s while

  • Cyber Security Boot Camp graduates Class of 2006

    Thirty-five college students from across the nation were recognized Aug. 10 as graduates of the 2006 Advanced Course in Engineering, or ACE, Cyber Security Boot Camp, a 10-week program at the Air Force Research Laboratory information directorate. This year's class included 19 Air Force cadets, three

  • Bagram security forces fly away to support airlift mission

    Security forces protect Air Force people and resources worldwide, even when those resources are on the move at more than 300 mph. The C-130 Hercules cargo plane is the primary means of moving supplies and troops around Afghanistan. Aircrews frequently land at remote, dirt landing strips to support

  • Dental corps aims to stem shortage

    It may be a tooth and nail struggle for the Air Force to keep its dentists, but its dental service is dedicated to providing expert care to Airmen worldwide, said the director of the Air Force Dental Corps here recently. "I think Airmen need to know that we are committed to providing them the dental

  • Wings combine strengths to solve Raptor issue

    Four wings are combining efforts to analyze, develop and test a new advanced medium-range air-to-air missile data collection system for the first F-22A Raptor at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The 53rd Wing, 46th Test Wing, 1st Fighter Wing and 325th Fighter Wing worked side by side to solve the

  • Officials announce clarification of EPR criteria, policy

    The Air Force has released a policy to clarify senior rater endorsement and stratification procedures for enlisted performance reports. While many supervisors and senior NCOs looked to completion of the Senior NCO Academy and a Community College of the Air Force degree as criteria for consideration

  • Thrift Savings Plan augments retirement

    The Thrift Savings Plan's automatic and matching contributions form a key part of the Federal Employees' Retirement System, or FERS, offering federal civilian employees opportunities to increase their retirement income. FERS civilian Thrift Savings Plan account holders automatically receive a

  • 'Spirit of Solano' arrives at Travis

    The much anticipated C-17 Globemaster III, the "Spirit of Solano," arrived home at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., on Aug. 8. Festivities began with a flyover of all three major airframes now based at Travis: the C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender and C-17. The crowd of approximately 2,000 applauded as Maj.

  • Royal Air Force pilot makes history in B-2 Spirit

    At first glance, he looks like any other Air Force pilot: olive-green flight suit, polished boots and a bluish-gray flight cap with rank insignia prominently displayed. On closer inspection, you realize the little differences.His shoulder boards don't feature bars or leaves, but instead a

  • Air Guard pilots train in escape, evasion

    A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron ascended the mountains here Aug. 6 for a refresher on escaping the enemy and evading capture should they ever be shot down. The training they hope they never have to use is important because, while the United

  • Program assists heroes in reaching next level

    They gave something that they can never get back, and a group here does its best to ensure these heroes smoothly move on to the next phase of their lives. Palace HART -- Helping Airmen Recover Together -- is a program that assists Airmen injured in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Many

  • More programs added to virtual MPF

    The Air Force will add the Selective Re-enlistment and Career Job Reservation programs to the Virtual Military Personnel Flight, furthering Personnel Services Delivery Transformation. Beginning Sept. 1, the automated SRP process will e-mail commanders a monthly roster notifying them of their Airmen

  • Weather agency employs new forecast model

    The Air Force Weather Agency headquartered here took the first steps to use the new Weather Research and Forecasting model, known as WRF, for operational forecasts. The WRF model, the first worldwide fine-scale computer forecasting program in nearly a decade, was created through a collaborative

  • Airpark dedication honors Tuskegee Airmen

    More than 50 Tuskegee Airmen attended an airpark dedication ceremony in their honor Aug. 2 in front of the 944th Fighter Wing headquarters here. The airpark features an F-16 Fighting Falcon static aircraft painted in World War II Tuskegee colors in recognition of the "Red Tail" warriors of the

  • 'Ready Elmendorf' will prepare PACAF's F-22s

    Pacific Air Forces officials are excited about bringing the F-22 Raptor to the command. Aircraft crews will start their training in Virginia before actually landing on the Alaskan tarmac."Through a concept known as 'Ready Elmendorf,' Alaska's aircraft and pilots will initially operate at Langley Air

  • Awareness crucial in motorcycle safety

    The thrill of motorcycle riding is one that many Americans will experience during these 101 critical days of summer. With gas prices and temperatures rising, many people feel that now is the perfect time to get on their bikes. But before doing so, motorcyclists should consider a few things before

  • Letter to Airman asks Airmen to become communicators

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne recognizes the importance of every Airman communicating the Air Force story, especially the contribution the Air Force makes to the nation's security.  The secretary said that success of an enhanced strategic communication

  • New Air Force lieutenant colonels selected for SDE

    The lieutenant colonel central selection board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here has identified senior developmental education "selects." Officers identified as selects join a resource pool of officers who will be considered for future attendance at in-residence SDE. SDE enhances the

  • PACAF leaders see flash of future in Georgia

    Senior leaders from Pacific Air Forces toured the F-22 Raptor production facility here Aug. 3 and got a look at the command's first 5th-generation fighter aircraft. Raptor 4087, bearing "AK" on its tail, is bound for Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It will be the first of 36 Raptors, in two

  • New structures, names for SMC organization

    The Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center has reorganized and renamed its organizations to mirror the traditional Air Force structure in a ceremony July 31. The center activated six subordinate wings, 21 groups, 12 squadrons, 20 divisions, two system offices and the 61st Air Base Wing,

  • Sergeants toy with donations

    Two Airmen deployed here are trying to further Iraqis' understanding of Americans through the simplest objects: children's toys. Staff Sgts. Scott Klobucher and Samantha Ross are volunteers at the Air Force Theater Hospital. The sergeants are two of about 600 people who volunteer at the hospital,

  • Officials prepare for F-22 arrival

    As Pacific Air Forces prepares to bring the F-22 to the command next year, the Headquarters PACAF F-22 Program Integration Office is working to ensure no detail is overlooked. The job is not a small task. The integration office staff is responsible for guiding, coordinating and synchronizing the

  • New AFIT commander focuses on military education system

    Brig. Gen. Paula G. Thornhill accepted command of the Air Force Institute of Technology from Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air University commander, during a ceremony July 31.  She replaced Brig. Gen. Mark T. Matthews who will become the director of plans and programs at Air Combat Command. "Every

  • Air Force museum launches new Web site

    The National Museum of the United States Air Force is getting a new look online. The museum's new site features easy-to-navigate links to nearly 4,000 pages of museum news, exhibits, research information and more. In addition, more than 4,000 photographs will be available to download. The new Web

  • Wynne: We are logisticians of information

    As does its enemies, the Air Force considers cyberspace a warfighting domain. The Air Force has always been in the business of flying and fighting in the air, and in past decades, has included space in that mission. This year the Air Force expanded its mission to include cyberspace -- the domain of

  • 'Your Guardians of Freedom' site set to scale down

    Budget constraints and contract services reductions have forced officials  to make changes to the "Your Guardians of Freedom" Web site starting Oct 1. The Web site enables Air Force members to order pins for employers of activated Guardsmen (E pin), parents (P pin) and spouses (S pin). Pin

  • Five personnel centers scheduled for realignment

    In an effort to provide and deliver services in the most effective and efficient way for the Air Force, military officials plan to realign about 170 civilian personnel positions to the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. From the 170 positions, 135 are slated to realign

  • Air Force cycling team wraps up RAGBRAI

    One hundred Air Force cycling team members finished in two columns of 50 in Muscatine, Iowa, on July 29, dipping their front wheel in the Mississippi River, the traditional end to the ride across the state. The Air Force team participated in the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across

  • Small-diameter bomb makes F-15E squadron more lethal

    When the 494th Fighter Squadron deploys to Southwest Asia later this year, its new small-diameter bomb will make its F-15E Strike Eagles even more lethal. The squadron will be the first to use the Air Force's new Guided Bomb Unit-39 bomb. It is a thin, Global Positioning System-guided 250-pound bomb

  • Global Hawk passes 10,000 flight hours milestone

    The Global Hawk unmanned aerial system continues to prove its utility and effectiveness in the global war on terror, having flown more than 10,500 flight hours by late July. The Global Hawk achieved 10,000 flight hours in June, with its ratio of combat flying hours to non-combat hours increasing to

  • Reserve income replacement begins Sept. 1

    The Reserve Income Replacement Program became effective as of Aug. 1. The first RIRP payments for eligible service members will begin in Sept. 1.The RIRP was developed to provide specific payments to eligible members of the National Guard and Reserve who are involuntarily serving on active duty --

  • ROVER adds extra set of eyes to sky

    A demonstration of the Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receiver during field training here on July 28 allowed basic cadets an opportunity to see how an extra set of eyes in the sky is a critical weapon in military arsenals."It's important to take a new group of leaders and have them interface on the

  • Analysis system changes name, expands scope

    U.S. Joint Forces Command has changed the name of its Joint Warfare System to Joint Analysis System to better reflect the program's capabilities. The program's manager, Navy Cmdr. Gregg Martin, said he is hopeful the use of JAS will expand to support many U.S. organizations outside the Department of

  • Cancer doesn’t stop Air Force cyclists from crossing Iowa

    Tears don’t fall lightly from a colonel, especially in front of more than 120 other Airmen. But when Col. John Clarke presented Pamela Vineyard a plaque, representing a weeklong bike ride across the state of Iowa, the tears were evidence of the inspiring and amazing example of her strength and

  • Handbook helps weapon systems get to warfighter quicker

    The Department of Defense is constantly looking for ways to reduce the time it takes to get new weapon systems in the hands of the warfighter. The acquisition community at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command here is helping the DOD do just that. The acquisition logistics division recently rolled

  • Cadets experience 'war' during visit

    Cadets from ROTC units across the country finished their three-week visit here by going to "war" with members of the 460th Space Wing. Eighteen cadets, who were here June 25 to July 14 as part of the Operation Air Force program, took part in War Week July 10 to 14. Airmen at Buckley participate

  • Two F-16s reach milestone

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron passed 6,000 flying hours during two recent Operation Iraqi Freedom combat missions over Iraq. Flown by Lt. Col. Mark Cline, 421st EFS commander, and Capt. Nick Edwards, aircraft numbers 88-0471 and 88-0428 were the first

  • Air Force Reserve expands associate unit role at Vandenberg

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its associate unit role with Air Force Space Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to support the Joint Space Operations Center. "The associate unit program which began in 1968 has served

  • Retirements application process centralized for reservists

    Beginning July 31, all eligible members of the Air Force Reserve will submit retirement applications electronically via the virtual Personnel Center Guard and Reserve, a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week customer service Web portal operated by the Air Reserve Personnel Center here. "The ultimate goal is to

  • Balad Air Base now part of Air Force Public Web

    Airmen in Iraq supporting the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base can expect to see a new look on their public Web site. The Air Force plan to consolidate and standardize the appearance of its sites has reached deployed bases as part of the Air Force Public Web program. The Secretary of

  • Green Lightning tests Pacific bomber force

    B-2 Stealth bombers, KC-10 Extenders and support personnel are participating in a new exercise here.Exercise Green Lightning is designed to improve the U.S. capabilities and operational familiarity in the region for the Pacific bomber presence and enhance relations with the Australians. "The United

  • Air Force officials accepting physical therapy applications

    Air Force officials are taking applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program which begins Dec. 18, 2007 at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree or those who are in the final semester prior to receiving a degree

  • Falcons cut Mildenhall bird strikes

    Keith Mutton and Alan Marenghi roam the flightline at this base in their small blue vans doing a job that is truly for the birds. The father and stepson duo command a squadron of falcons, hawks and owls that help keep away birds that pose a bird-strike threat to aircraft here. But, it is not an easy

  • New radio enhances F-15 capability

    A new radio installed in Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles is enhancing the fighter's ability to support the war on terrorism and homeland defense missions by enabling aircrews to communicate more effectively with ground troops and civilian aircraft. The fleet is receiving ultra high frequency/very high

  • Medical team conducts mission in Ecuador

    A medical team is conducting the first Medical Readiness Training Exercise, or MEDRETE, held in Esmereldas, Ecuador, through July 28. The two surgeons, a nurse anesthetist, two medical technicians and an anesthesiologist are led by Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Talarczyk, 859th Surgical Operations Squadron

  • Air Force meeting requirements for F-22 multi-year funding

    The Air Force will meet all requirements to proceed with multi-year funding on purchasing of the last 60 F-22 Raptor aircraft.During a July 26 testimony before the Senate Armed Service Committee air-land subcommittee, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said the service has met five of six

  • Retraining program seeks to fill more than 1,100 positions

    The 2007 NCO Retraining Program begins today as the Air Force seeks to fill more than 1,100 shortage career field and special duty positions. NCOs notified of their vulnerability to retrain must submit their shortage career field choices they would most like to retrain into or apply for a special

  • British pilot finishes Raptor training at Tyndall

    The first British pilot to complete F-22 Raptor training graduated July 17 at Tyndall Air Force Base. Flight Lt. Dan Robinson, from the Royal Air Force, is assigned to Langley AFB, Va. He has completed two months of training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron as part of an exchange program. In return, a

  • Federal Voting Assistance Program kicks into high gear

    The Federal Voting Assistance Program office is pulling out the stops to ensure all servicemembers and their families who wish to can vote. Polli Brunelli, the program's chief, said the program has learned from experience and has put in place a system to make it relatively painless for

  • Academy professor sets swimming world record

    An Air Force Academy professor set a world record in long-distance swimming July 23.Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautical Engineering became the first American to swim the 14.8 nautical miles from Britain's Jersey Island to France. In the process, he

  • Air Force officials announce 2007 force-shaping initiatives

    Air Force officials announced today new force-shaping initiatives to be used to meet the required 2007 fiscal year end-strength numbers. The new initiatives are designed to bring the officer numbers down as the enlisted end-strength numbers are on target for 2007. Officials said more than 8,000

  • Panjshir PRT medics visit remote Afghan district

    Patients walked as far as six miles and waited as long as eight hours for treatment by Air Force medics from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team who visited the Paryan District July 15 and 16.The Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir director

  • 'Check It' campaign to promote mission focus, stewardship

    Everyone within the Defense Department makes an important contribution to the overall mission, so it's critical that every member -- military, civilian and contractor alike -- ensures he or she does his or her job right. That's the message behind "Check It," a new Defense Department campaign that

  • 'New' patients make training more realistic

    The use of advanced, more lifelike simulated patients at the aerospace medical service apprentice course is enhancing medical training for Airmen here attending technical school with the 882nd Training Group."The purpose of these patient simulators is to have the most advanced equipment that

  • Americans fleeing Lebanon arrive at McGuire

    As of today, U.S. efforts to assist in the departure of American citizens from the conflict in Lebanon have led to more than 1,200 displaced people processing through here. American citizens are traveling aboard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from here as well as from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.,

  • Researchers conduct workshop on biologically inspired flight

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently completed a workshop entitled "Biologically Inspired Flight for Micro Air Vehicles" in Denver. Micro air vehicles, or MAVs, are part of a new breed of remotely controlled aircraft that are significantly smaller than currently available

  • No matter the nationality, pilots speak same language

    United States and European pilots may have language barriers but at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, they all speak the same language -- aviation. In the 55-week ENJJPT program, approximately 250 American and European students earn their wings yearly. Of those graduating, about 65

  • Guard, Reserve medics gear up at Patriot '06

    More than 2,200 Airmen and Soldiers are gathering in Wisconsin at Ft. McCoy and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center as part of Patriot '06, an Air National Guard-led exercise held July 15 to 28.Servicemembers are also participating at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station, Mo."The

  • Army & Air Force Exchange turns 111 July 25

    The Army & Air Force Exchange Service marks its 111th birthday July 25, celebrating its mission to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support morale, welfare and recreation programs. On July 25, 1895, the War Department issued General Order No. 46

  • Innovative computer chip has enhanced storage capability

    A chemical alloy, used in everyday electronic items such as rewritable CDs and DVDs, serves as the source of a new computer chip. Researchers hope that this alloy will demonstrate non-volatile memory, or information storage retention without a power source, in the radiation-hardened space

  • Simulator to help prepare Elmendorf pilots for C-17s

    In preparation for Elmendorf's first C-17 Globemaster III arriving in June 2007, members of the Program Integration Office here flew to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to pick up the base's newest simulator."The purpose of the simulator is to train Elmendorf pilots and loadmasters to fly the Air

  • Voting program helps Airmen exercise their rights

    Airmen and their families serving around the world have the right to vote and the Air Force Voting Program's mission is to ensure they have the information and tools needed to exercise that privilege. As a part of the program, every Air Force installation has designated voting assistance officers

  • EPA recognizes Air Force for its 'green power' achievements

    The U.S. Air Force is the nation's top purchaser of green power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 list of green power purchasers in the partnership. The Air Force is also in the No. 1 slot on the nation's Top 10 Federal Government Green Power Partners. The Air Force is

  • USAFSIA receives federal accreditation

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy in Glynco, Ga., announced July 20 its accreditation by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board of Directors. The USAFSIA is the first Department of Defense law enforcement school to receive FLETA accreditation, said

  • Airmen have front-row seat for Discovery landing

    While the 45th Space Wing had an active role in supporting the Space Shuttle Discovery's 5.3 million-mile mission, a select group of its Airmen had the opportunity to watch the shuttle's landing firsthand July 17. "Being asked to witness the landing was exciting," said Senior Airman Melissa Lucas,

  • Video game prepares Airmen, families for emergencies

    True or False? Tornados always have a visible funnel extending to the ground. The answer to that question and more appear in the Air Force's newest training tool designed to prepare civilians, Airmen and their families for emergencies. The difference is this teaching instrument isn't a slideshow

  • Defense weather satellites provide environmental support

    Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center here said they are on track to launch a third satellite in November that will join two others already in orbit essential in tracking global weather conditions and providing data for distribution to Department of Defense and civilian

  • Engineers go beyond virtual reality to test systems

    Some aircraft parts can be used to fight in air-to-air combat without ever having to take off a runway. By assembling the avionics "guts" of fighter jets into racks and consoles, engineers and technicians can recreate flight and aerial threats in one facility. The Air Force has that inexpensive

  • Columbus AFB earns state recycling award

    The Mississippi Recycling Coalition has named Columbus Air Force Base as the Federal Government Recycler of the Year for the third consecutive year, acknowledging the base's continued excellence in promoting installation and community awareness for recycling initiatives and programs. "The Columbus

  • New commander takes Air Force Recruiting reins

    Air Force Recruiting Service welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony here July 17. Brig. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot took command from Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, who headed AFRS since February 2004. In her new role, General Vautrinot is the first female to lead Air Force

  • Rocket technology testing reaches 100-percent operation

    America's only staged combustion liquid booster rocket engine now in development marked an important milestone July 12 at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The engine reached steady-state 100-percent operation, demonstrating mainstage performance for the first time.The engine

  • Effectiveness of commercial air cargo augmentation under review

    U.S. Central Command's Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, or CDDOC, has initiated a test to determine the cost and effectiveness of using commercial air cargo aircraft to augment military aircraft in delivering supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The purpose of this initiative,

  • U.S., Parwan governments build ‘bridge to future'

    In the culmination of more than a year's efforts, the Parwan deputy governor cut the ribbon on a bridge July 11 in the northern part of this province connecting Afghans to their country. The new bridge spans a river in the mountains and was built with the future in mind as it accommodates both foot

  • 93rd Bomb Squadron is Litening pod combat-capable

    The 917th Reserve Wing's 93rd Bomb Squadron here is the first B-52 Stratofortress squadron to complete the training requirements for combat use of the Litening AT targeting pod. "This new mission capability is a first for the B-52 and gives the combatant commander another weapon in his arsenal in

  • AFA looking for former Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    The Air Force Association is looking for all former recipients of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year award program. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the award, which has been presented to more than 700 Airmen.The AFA will honor all former award winners at the Air Force anniversary dinner

  • Air Force announces developmental education opportunities

    Air Force officers interested in 2007 developmental education opportunities must begin the application process in August. A completed Air Force Form 3849, PME/AFIT/RTFB Officer Worksheet, and senior rater nomination are due by Aug. 18 for officers applying for the Olmsted Scholarship, White House

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report, offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force as of June 30. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch Web site: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/.

  • Muster to test deployment capable numbers

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center conducts a muster for nearly 150 individual ready reservists July 20 and 27 at the Buckley Annex here to test the readiness of the force.The IRR Muster Program, mandated by U.S. law, exists to enhance readiness and ensure the Air Force can "reach out and touch" the

  • Elmendorf unit saves thousands

    Airmen at the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron Nondestructive Inspection Laboratory here have found a way to save the Air Force more than $200,000 annually.The lab is responsible for inspecting all aircraft assigned to the 3rd Wing for internal problems that are hard for the naked eye to see."We

  • Cameras enhance forecasting of sun-generated storms

    Every 100-plus minutes, while orbiting approximately 50 miles above the Earth onboard the Coriolis satellite, the Solar Mass Ejection Imager experiment scans the darkness of space-seeking, sun-generated magnetic clouds of particles intent on striking the planet. Since becoming operational in January

  • USAFE football reunion to be held at Andrews

    Servicemembers who played for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe football team will gather together with their teammates at a reunion here Sept. 1 and 2. The reunion will be a celebration for the men who competed against each other on the football field while serving their country, said Tech. Sgt. Scott

  • Educators important in military children's lives

    It is important that teachers and other school officials understand factors affecting children of military families, a senior Army general said here July 13. A military lifestyle often is characterized by frequent moves and parents who are deployed for long periods of time, Army Gen. David D.

  • Oregon-based KC-135 unit begins drawdown

    The first KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 939th Air Refueling Wing departs Portland International Airport today, marking the beginning of a change in mission for the Air Force Reserve unit.Under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, all eight of the refueling aircraft and 900

  • IA program provides political-military, cultural experts

    Air Force officers can expect to gain international insight, foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding by becoming international affairs specialists, said an Air Force executive here. "Under the old foreign area officer program, international skills were self-obtained," said Bruce

  • Second phase of NSPS begins in October

    The Defense Department announced plans July 12 to transfer more than 66,000 additional DOD civilian employees into the new National Security Personnel System beginning in October. The plan, delivered to Congress earlier this week, ushers in the second phase in implementing the new

  • Airmen handle missions big and small in Afghanistan

    Tech. Sgt. William Long likes a challenge, but a couple weeks ago, one challenge seemed insurmountable. Air Force officials notified an Airman deployed to a remote forward operating base that his wife was gravely ill. The Air Force placed him on emergency leave, and then tried to figure a way to get